Studies in Urinary Tract Infections

Forty‐six strains of coagulase‐negative staphylococci from 13 patients with established urinary tract infections have been examined by biochemical tests. None of the strains produced coagulase or fermented mannitol. The strains differed in their production of haemolysins and phosphatase, phage sensitivity, liquefaction of gelatin, reduction of nitrate, splitting of Tween 80, pigmentation and production of acid from glucose, mannitol and lactose. It is concluded that contrary to prevailing opinion a negative result in the coagulase test on staphylococci isolated from urine does not exclude their association with infections of the urinary tract.